# We're never going to see these books, are we? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [October 16, 2019, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830 "2019-10-16T04:29:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/141 "2026-01-27T15:49:51Z")
That can’t be it, because in 2019, eight years after Salinger’s son had started going through the manuscripts, he was still promising that all unpublished material would be shared. Here is Salinger’s son in a [2023 interview](https://www.abc.es/cultura/hijo-salinger-trabaja-obras-ineditas-padre-quedan-20231025145719-nt.html) (auto-translated from Spanish): “My father asked me very clearly: publish everything, also the ugly. I’m working on the digital document transcript of his work, but I still have the longest pages and the most complex parts left,” Salinger revealed Wednesday in Madrid. “I still have a year or two left to transcribe everything. I’m looking for a way to streamline this process. Will I do it before I die? I hope so.” What is this guy even doing?? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/142 "2026-01-27T15:54:43Z")
Xactly. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/143 "2026-01-28T02:39:29Z")
I just read _The Princess Bride_ for the first time. Delightful. Where is the rest of _Buttercup’s Baby_? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/144 "2026-01-28T13:08:06Z")
In writing two of my own books I learned that other people were going to do books on the same topic which never got published. There were two authors who said they were going to write books about Medusa that I learned of when I was researching _Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon_. Since I mentioned their ideas and works, I’d like to think I broke the curse. I learned near the end of writing _Mystery Ship_, about the weird career of US Submarine S-49 that not only had an ex-sub officer been researching a book on the same topic, but he’d actually written it. But he never got it published. Again, I relate his findings that I didn’t have (He interviewed people who had died before I even started research, for instance), so I kinda broke the curse on that one, too. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/145 "2026-01-28T22:16:18Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > _Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon_. I gave it 5 stars. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/146 "2026-01-29T02:40:56Z")
I went to the bookstore in NYC where Goldman found S. Morgenstern’s book, but had no luck finding the sequel (this is not a joke - I actually went there: it’s a [real place](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argosy_Book_Store)) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/147 "2026-02-11T03:52:24Z")
_Other Worlds Than These_, the third book of Stephen King and Peter Straub’s Talisman trilogy, has been announced for publication in October 2026. _The Talisman_ was published in 1984 and _Bleak House_ was published in 2001, so this final volume isn’t that far behind the earlier pace. In fact, when you considered Straub died in 2022, you have to admire his work ethic in finishing the series. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/148 "2026-02-11T04:09:05Z")
Given his [most recent blog post](https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/), it’s clear that Martin has not worked on Winds of Winter for the last six months at a minimum. It’s interesting to see him blather on about how he hasn’t had time to post, as if it’s the blog posts we’re waiting for. Nobody gives a crap about that, George! We’re just hoping it means that you are actually **writing.** ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/149 "2026-02-11T04:57:20Z")
Who is ghost-writing for him? Dean Koontz? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/150 "2026-02-11T14:19:57Z")
I’m assuming King did the bulk of writing although Straub may have done some work on the storyline before his death. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/151 "2026-02-11T14:44:24Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > It’s interesting to see him blather on about how he hasn’t had time to post, as if it’s the blog posts we’re waiting for. That was a terrible read. “Here are 600 words on all the things I could have, but didn’t post.” ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/152 "2026-02-11T14:53:58Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Ah, so it’s finally out. In January, as predicted. I quite enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/153 "2026-02-11T21:40:12Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > We’re just hoping it means that you are actually **writing.** He’s a victim of his own success. How could he possibly meet the readers’ expectations at this point? This is why I want to complete any series I write before I publish it, but that’s not really recommended. The odds of series potential are so low for any novel. But who wants to live in the hell he’s living in? Not me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/154 "2026-02-11T21:44:53Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > This is why I want to complete any series I write before I publish it, but that’s not really recommended. Most good authors do an outline for the next books. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/155 "2026-02-11T21:48:54Z")
Another strike against me. Whenever I do outline it inevitably goes off the rails. I’m a pantser through and through. That guy probably has multiple outlines and no actual narrative written. Very common among fantasy authors. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/156 "2026-02-11T22:01:38Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > That guy probably has multiple outlines and no actual narrative written. Very common among fantasy authors. Multiple outlines and one TV adaptation. 😀 I’m ok with the ASOFAI series never being finished. The fact that WOW is taking so long makes me think that I won’t enjoy the finished project. Either wrapping up the plot is intractable or GRRM has lost the spark for the story. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/157 "2026-02-11T22:15:35Z")
Yeah, I’m done with GRRM. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/158 "2026-02-11T22:46:08Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > That guy probably has multiple outlines and no actual narrative written. Very common among fantasy authors. I read somewhere that Martin had outlines for the first three books, and stuck to them. He had an outline for the next one, too, but decided to write another book in between 3 and 4 because he had some interesting ideas on what the characters would be doing in the meantime. Then the book he wrote ended up to be too long, so he split it into **two** books - which ended up being _A Feast for Crows_ and _A Dance With Dragons_. And then, apparently, he saw the utter mess he had made of his narrative, realized he had no idea where to go from there, threw up his hands and said “Fuck it”. The lesson here: have a plan, and stick to it. If you come up with some new ideas, for God’s sake, save them for your next series. _Discipline_. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/159 "2026-02-12T00:54:57Z")
My daughter keeps telling me that Brandon Sanderson is pretty sure Patrick Rothruss will release The Doors of Stone at some point. Apparently, Sanderson is friends with Rothruss. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830/160 "2026-02-12T01:11:21Z")
I used to read every title in the Bell Elkins mystery series by Julia Keller. The eighth and most recent one came out in 2019, Then in 2024 she released Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance―and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free. I haven’t read Quitting, but the title sounds like a broad hint there won’t be a ninth Bell Elkins book. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830.md?page=9)